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Nigeria’s Barau Elected 1st Deputy Speaker Of ECOWAS Parliament
Nigeria’s Barau Elected 1st Deputy Speaker Of ECOWAS Parliament
By: Michael Mike
Deputy President Of the Nigerian Senate, Jibrin Barau has been elected 1st Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS Parliament) during the inauguration of the 6th Legislature of the regional bloc.
The 6th Legislature was inaugurated by the Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who is also the Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the regional body in accordance with the Supplementary Act on the Enhancement of Powers of the regional legislature in a ceremony which was held in Abuja on Thursday.
The substantive Speaker of the regional legislature was unable to be elected following the inability of Togo, which the position was zoned, to produce the Speaker due to the political situation in the country.
Barau was nominated by Nigerian member of Parliament, Awaji- Inombek Dagomie Abiante, in a session presided by Liberia’s Edwin Snowe as interim Speaker. His nomination was seconded by another Nigerian member of Parliament, Senator Ireti Kingibe and he was voted unopposed.
The office of the Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament is usually reserved for Nigeria anytime the country is not presiding as Speaker of the Parliament.
Also elected as Second Deputy Speaker was Adjaratou Traore Coulibally from Cote d’Ivoire, who polled 54 votes to beat Cecile Ahoumnon from Benin, who got no single vote.
The position of the Third Deputy Speaker was won by Alexander Kwamena Afenyo- Markin from Ghana in a unanimous vote.
The Fourth Deputy Speaker position was won by Billay Tunkara from The Gambia with 47 votes beating Orlando Pereira Dias from Cabo Verde who got 7 votes.
Outgoing Speaker of the Parliament, Sidie Mohammed Tunis, thanked the regional body for the opportunity given him to serve for four years even as he reaffirmed his commitment to the regional body.
Tunis was appointed ceremonial speaker, following the gap that exists because Togo, the country to which the Speakership was zoned, as the country was not able to produce the Speaker due to some prevailing political situation.
Tunis however announced his intention to travel to Togo to see how best to get a Speaker, saying “I will proceed to Togo to have a conversion with the authorities there with a view to encouraging them to have their delegation inaugurated as soon as possible so that we can have a Speaker to run this institution. It is very, very important. There are so many things to do in the sub-region, and the ECOWAS Parliament has a very big role to play in the sub-region but they will not be able to do so without the Speaker.”
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar in his address, noted that in the face of the various challenges confronting the region, including peace, stability, security, as well as the unity of the region, the role of the Parliament is more important than ever.
The Minister, who is also the chair of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, commended the outgoing 5th Legislature, especially its Speaker Mohamed Tunis, for their invaluable contributions to the ECOWAS Parliament and the Organization as a whole.
Tuggar said “it is, therefore, imperative that the Parliament continues to work in synergy with the ECOWAS Commission and other Institutions that serve as the executive and judicial arms of our governments”.
Nigeria’s Barau Elected 1st Deputy Speaker Of ECOWAS Parliament
News
Military EOD neutralizes improvised explosive device in Talata Mafara, Zamfara
Military EOD neutralizes improvised explosive device in Talata Mafara, Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
An improvised explosive device (IED) planted between Yar Danya and Maikwanugga villages in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State has been safely neutralized by military Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts.
Zagazola report that the operation, conducted on March 3 at about 2:00 p.m., followed the discovery of the device along a key village route. Security sources said the EOD team successfully detonated the IED, preventing potential harm to residents and commuters in the area.
Patrol and monitoring activities by the troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA and other security forces had since been intensified in the vicinity to ensure the safety of the local population and prevent further threats.
Military EOD neutralizes improvised explosive device in Talata Mafara, Zamfara
News
Troops rescue three abducted victims in Ajaokuta, Kogi State
Troops rescue three abducted victims in Ajaokuta, Kogi State
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Army troops have successfully rescued three abducted persons following an attack by unknown gunmen along the Okwu Obanyi axis of Ajaokuta Local Government Area, Kogi State.
Zagazola report that the incident occurred on March 3 at about 6:00 a.m. when Abdulwahab Musa and Idowu Ibekunle, both of Opella, Edo State, were transporting farm produce to Anyigba, Kogi State.
According to sources, around 6:00 p.m., their vehicle, a maroon Toyota Previa with registration number MUE 689 AE, was blocked by armed assailants, who abducted four passengers into a nearby forest.
Troops, working with joint security forces, deployed to the area, conducted systematic bush combing and intelligence-led operations, resulting in the safe recovery of three victims – Fedelis Onza, Ayuba Fedelis, and Mrs. Joy Fidelis, all residents of Anyigba. One victim, Idowu Ebekule, remains unaccounted for.
The rescued victims have provided statements to security personnel, while operations continue to locate the remaining abductee and apprehend the perpetrators.
Monitoring and surveillance in the area have been intensified to prevent further incidents.
Troops rescue three abducted victims in Ajaokuta, Kogi State
News
NGO backs Tinubu’s climate awareness tour
NGO backs Tinubu’s climate awareness tour
Jewel Environmental Initiative (JEI), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has commended President Bola Tinubu for inaugurating the Renewed Hope Climate Change Awareness Tour, urging Nigerians and stakeholders to support the initiative nationwide.
Mr Ismail Bima, Chief Executive Officer of JEI, said in a statement on Thursday in Gombe that the tour would significantly strengthen public understanding of climate change and encourage collective environmental responsibility.
Bima described the initiative as a clear affirmation of the Federal Government’s commitment to pursuing practical solution driven strategies that addressed climate challenges and safeguarded livelihoods, ecosystems, and national development efforts.
He noted that the programme would achieve its objectives if government institutions, private organisations, civil society groups, and citizens actively played their respective roles in promoting awareness, resilience, and sustainable practices.
According to him, the inauguration marks an important step toward building a nationwide movement capable of delivering measurable progress in Nigeria’s broader efforts to secure a climate resilient future for generations.
He said JEI fully aligned with the Renewed Hope Climate Change Awareness Tour, noting that the initiative could inspire innovation, strengthen environmental education, and promote sustainable development across communities nationwide.
Bima also commended the Minister of Environment and urged federal, state, and local stakeholders to support the initiative, stressing that climate change impacts affected all citizens regardless of region or status.
He emphasised that growing climate pressures on agriculture, livelihoods, and ecosystems made the awareness tour timely, adding that stronger information sharing and partnerships were necessary to confront environmental risks nationwide.
He urged authorities to implement the initiative with sustained commitment, extend activities to grassroots communities, and collaborate with state and local governments to ensure wider participation and maximum impact nationwide effectively.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Tinubu inaugurated the Renewed Hope Climate Change Awareness Tour in Abuja on Tuesday to promote climate resilience and sustainable development nationwide initiatives.
NGO backs Tinubu’s climate awareness tour
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